Unions seek MPs' support and demonstrate against 'locusts'

Monday 26 February 2007 19.00 EST
First published on Monday 26 February 2007 19.00 EST

Unions will tonight step up their campaign against private equity companies by pressing MPs for a parliamentary inquiry into the huge growth of the sector in Britain.

Labour MPs have been invited to a private meeting in the Commons to be addressed by Jack Dromey of the Transport and General Workers' Union and Peter Rossman of the International Union of Food workers, which represents food, restaurant, hotel and farm workers worldwide. The IUF will launch a road show in Westminster saying that unions and pension funds must organise to force private equity firms to be more open about working practices, investments and debts.

Unions want MPs to press for a parliamentary inquiry by a select committee because it could compel private equity companies to appear before them. Kevin Curran, for the IUF, said: "This would open up the debate and stop companies from not commenting on developments."

In Frankfurt, the GMB has sent a delegation of workers from Birds Eye, the AA and National Car Parks, owned by private equity group 3i, to protest at the European Private Equity and Venture Capital Summit over the threat to jobs and trade union rights posed by the industry. Demonstrators will carry placards reading: "Conference of the locusts", "Slam the door as you leave the EU", "Plague of locusts" and "Private equity asset strippers".

Rob Kelsall, GMB London regional organiser, said: "With me on the demo will be two suspended 3i strikers. They are representing the 70 GMB members, mainly African migrant workers, who have already staged five days of strikes to secure the right of the GMB to negotiate their pay and conditions and end bullying and harassment by their employer NCP in Enfield, London."

Labour party chairman, Hazel Blears, yesterday defended private equity bosses, who have made donations to Labour. Ms Blears said: "In many instances enterprising people, through private equity and other means, have been able to go to companies which are failing, turn them around, secure jobs, make sure the pensions can be secured..."